Apparatus for effecting separation of the parts of dentures



A. J. VANCE Nov. 16, 1937,

APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING SEPARATION OF THE PARTS OF DENTURES Filed July 17, 1936 A Jmw Va/zce 22 Patented Nov. 16, 1937 PATENT GFFICE APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING SEPARATION OF THE PARTS OF DENTURES Alva James Vance, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application July 1'7, 1936, Serial No. 91,243

3 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for the separation of parts of denture assemblies such as gold-frame-mounted porcelain teeth, false teeth assemblies, cases, or the like, the apparatus including a heated acid bath in which separation is effected and a neutralizing bath for rendering harmless the fumes given off by the heated acid bath.

I shall describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows by way of example three practical forms of apparatus embodying the invention. In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form.

Figure 2 a similar section of another form, and Figure 3 an elevation, with parts in vertical section, of a self-contained unit as the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, and first to Figure 1, reference numeral l0 designates a container,

ordinarily of glass, having a bottom wall and cylindrical side walls. The mouth of the container is closed by a stopper II which may be of rubber or of glass with a ground fit. The stopper is apertured to pass one extremity of a U-shaped glass tube l2, the other extremity of the tube being adjacent the bottom of a container l3 which is upwardly open. Reference numeral [4 designates an acid bath in the container l0 and the bath may be of hydrochloric or other suit- 30 able acid. It is preferably of sufiicient depth so that the denture assembly may be completely immersed therein. The container l3 has therein a neutralizing bath l5 which may conveniently and economically be a strong soda solution.

With the denture assembly in the acid solution, heat is applied to the boiler l0 and the heated acid acts to effect separation of the denture parts. The noxious fumes arising from the heated acid bath pass through tube 12 to the bottom of the soda bath where they are released and neutralized by the soda solution, the gases escaping at the top of the soda bath being entirely harmless.

In Figure 2 reference numeral l6 designates an acid container. Reference numeral l7 designates a stopper or plug which closes the mouth of container l6 and also the lower end of a cylindrical glass tube 18, the tube l8 and the stopper l'l constituting an upwardly open container for the soda bath. A U-shaped piece of glass tubing l9 has one end passed through stopper I! and the other end disposed adjacent the top of stopper I! in the soda bath. Reference numeral 20 designates a reflector bowl which has mounted therein an electrical heating element 2|. The

operation of this apparatus is the same as above described.

In Figure 3, reference numeral 22 designates a flat base which is triangular in plan and may be provided with feet 23 at its corners. A vertical post 24 has its lower end secured to the base 22 and at its upper end carries oppositely and horizontally extending clamps 25 and 26 which support respectively the glass receptacles 21 and 28. An arm 29 projecting from the post 24 supports a reflector bowl 30 beneath the receptacle 21, the reflector bowl having mounted therein an electrical heating element 3|.

The mouth of the receptacle 2! is closed by a suitable stopper 32 which may be provided with a knob 33 for convenient manipulation. A funnel 34 has a stem 35 passed through stopper 32, the stem being provided with a control valve 36. By opening the valve fluid introduced into funnel 34 may be admitted through stem 35 to the interior of receptacle 2'! so that the bath may be conveniently replenished or modified.

Also passed through stopper 32 is an angular piece of glass tubing 3'! whose outer end is connected by a piece of rubber tubing 38 with an angular piece of glass tubing 33 of which one end is passed through a stopper for receptacle 28 and terminates adjacent the bottom of the latter. An angular glass tubing 4| also has one end passed through stopper 40.

The denture assembly is placed in container 21 and immersed in the acid bath therein, the bath being heated by the heating element 3| and the heat supply being concentrated by the reflector 30. During this operation valve 36 is of course closed and fumes arising from the acid pass through tubes 31, 38 and 39 to the bottom of the soda bath in receptacle 28, the neutralized residues passing from the latter through vent tube 4!.

The construction just described is particularly desirable since it constitutes a self-contained unit with the various parts compactly and efficiently arranged.

It will be understood that the invention may be variously embodied and that accordingly I do not limit myself to the arrangements herein disclosed. Various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A dental apparatus for effecting separation of the parts of denture assemblies, comprising a support, a closed receptacle mounted on said support, a body of acid in said closed receptacle in which a denture assembly may be completely immersed, heating means supported in said base adjacent said closed. receptacle whereby said acid bath is heated, a second closed receptacle mounted on said support adjacent the first closed receptacle, a neutralizing bath in said second receptacle, and means for conducting fumes from said acid bath to a point-beneath the surface of said neutralizing bath so that such fumes will bedischarged in said neutralizing bath to be neutralized thereby. V

2. Apparatus for effecting separation of the immersed, a heater for said boiler mounted in said base, a receptacle mounted on said base and containing a, neutralizing solution, and awcone;

nection between the boiler and receptacle whereby acid fumes generated in the former are conducted to the latter to be treated by said neutralizing solution. 7 a

3. A dental apparatus for eifecting the separation of the parts of dental assemblies, comprising a base, a glass'recep-tacle supported on said base and closed by a stopper, an acid bath in the closed receptacle in which the denture assembly may be immersed, electric heating means mounted .in said base adjacent said "closed *receptacle whereby the acid bath is heated, a second glass I receptacle closed by a stopper and supported on said base adjacent the first closed receptacle, an

acid neutralizing solution in the second closed receptacleanda connection for conveying fluid. betweenthe acid bath and the neutralizing solution wherebyacid fumes generated in the former are conductedbeneath the surface of the latter to be treated by said neutralizing solution.

ALVA JAMES VANCE. I 20 

